Green Event
Green Initiatives
Some Lebanese companies and organizations have already passed the green light. Here are some examples:


Automakers
  • Engine performance: Providing power train specialists for enhancing the economy and power of the engines, minimizing their impact on the environment.
  • Oil Change & Fluid Filter Change: Discarding used material in environmentally friendly manners in the oil change and fluid filter change process
  • Dry Sanding : Using dry sanding techniques with immediate suction of the resulting paint dust with proper disposal, producing a healthy, dust free environment
  • Water Based Paint: Using the latest manufacturer-approved water based paints, thus eliminating thinner based paints and their harms to both the workers and the environment.
     
  • Nitrogen Tire Filling: Decreasing tire degradation by pumping Nitrogen a gas that remains unaffected by temperature fluctuations. – add the idea that the nitrogen is better comparing to the air.
  • Recycling of Cooling Gas: Recycling cooling gas and using it in other applications to avoid polluting the environment.


Banks
  • Issued circular 197 on the 26 of June 2009 which allows banks to release the required reserve on the loans given for green projects, therefore making the financing of such projects more lucrative for banks.
  • Provides most loans funded by International Banks and Funds (e.g. International Finance Corporation of World Bank, Agence Française de Développement, etc) which now contain conditions relating to the environment.
  • Companies cannot use the loans unless technical consultants confirm their abidance with strict environmental regulations
  • Issued the wider and more detailed circular No. 236 in November 2010

  • Declared 2009-2010 the year to better the environment by kicking off the “happy planet” program.
  • Introducing environmentally friendly initiatives both internally, within their offices, and to the mass population that contribute towards a happier planet.
  • Launched a school/student competition to increase awareness among students and create a new environmental responsibility among the Lebanese Youth.
  • Launched "The Power is Energy, Save it!" campaign which included a new series of energy loans that target both consumers and businesses
  • Received the “ARZ Bronze certification” for its Head Office building in December 2011. The first Green commercial building in Lebanon to be rated.
  • Undergone a full green retrofit to become compliant with the green international specifications and the environment conservation standards. Major components are: installed a recycling system in the offices, replaced standard lighting with low consumption lighting and presence sensors, installed water saving equipment in the lavatories, and generalized  double-sided printing and photocopying practices.
  • Conducted green awareness campaigns among its headquarters employees to encourage them to “reduce, re-use and recycle” with the support of eco-consultants
  • Takes into consideration environment preservation guidelines when renovating any of its branches.
  • Works in collaboration with Beeatoona, an NGO, to recycle its e-waste.
  • Launched its  Corporate Environmental Policy through the “Let’s Walk the Green Path” campaign in 2011, promoting a Green culture and an eco-friendly model in its premises through monitoring and minimizing water, paper and waste consumption. A commitment that the Bank is taking further in the course of 2012.
  • An advocate of many events related to the protection and conservation of the environment. To name a few: Jouzour Loubnan, Lebanon Mountain Trail and Bkessine Natural Reserve.
  • Proceeds with the development of banking products for sustainable programs such as the solar water heating financing launched by the Ministry of Energy and Water in collaboration with the Central Bank of Lebanon.

 



Education
  • Launched the “Let's Go Green for a Sustainable Future! Towards a Carbon Neutral University” targeting its students, campuses and staff
  • Utilizes low-consumption lighting
  • All existing and new buildings to abide by the LEED certifications
  • Future plan to reduce 8% of the university's carbon emissions


Energy Providers
  • Committed to an internal environmental policy and strategy
  • Provides Green Power online UPS systems (Highest efficiency in the market, certified by TUV, for maximum energy savings)
  • Flywheels for clean energy storage as a replacement to classical sealed lead acid batteries
  • Servo-controlled stabilizers, Inverters, Rectifiers with high efficiency for energy savings
  • Off-grid photovoltaic systems for green backup-power
  • Grid-connected photovoltaic systems for green electrical generation and energy bill savings
  • Special Photovoltaic for Green Buildings roofs and facades (opaque and transparent photovoltaic glass/windows)
  • Innovative speed-bumps that generate renewable green energy
  • Imports gasoline products from European sources with specifications exceeding local requirements, sold with no additional charges. This ensures quality petroleum products with minimal environmental impact
  • Launched an awareness campaign in 2011 entitled "HYPCO...Think Beyond" emphasizing the low sulfur content in its gasoline products.
  • While the Lebanese specifications allow sulfur content in gasoline to reach 500ppm (part per million), Hypco is importing gasoline with  sulfur content that  can go up to 50 times less.



Hospitality
  • Conducted awareness campaigns amongst team members for water and energy saving – campaign cost – achievements.
  • Conducted awareness campaigns amongst guests – introducing tent cards “Your choice” – changing bed linen and Changing towels.
  • Standardized the E-mail banner “Seconds to print years to grow.
  • Signed a contract with “Crystalline Steam” to benefit from washing guests and employees cars and all floors and hoods by steam – reducing water consumption.
  • Conducted the "Recycling Superheroes" - recycling campaign amongst team members.
  • Appointed Energy Efficiency Group to roll out Energy saving plan for hotel’s medium, short and long term a (2010- 2013)
  • Installed Decentralized Power Factor Correction Unit.
  • Installed new bulbs, PLC controller, inverters on AHUs and an Enterprise Energy management.

  • Recycling: Recycles paper, plastic bottles & caps.
  • Used oil is recycled into biofuel and construction lubricants which reduces pollution and waste.
  • Energy saving: Shops design focuses on maximizing natural daylight and reducing cool air escapes.
  • Invested in smart frying machines that filter oil automatically, managing oil needs in a safe and computerized way, reducing oil consumption and heating waste while maintaining a clean oil for frying.
  • Currently executing an LED lamp project in all branches
  • Investing in energy-saving motorbikes
  • Environment: The Crepaway Foundation supports NGOs and projects that include planting trees in Lebanese mountains, cleaning beaches, saving Beirut heritage of old buildings & green areas.


Information Technology
 
  • Gradually replacing the traditional plastic bag with the new environment-friendly biodegradable plastic bags.  Already done by affiliates 460 The Multimedia Store, The Mac Shop and B Systems
  • Plans to launch a project to reduce paper waste and massive consumption and to recycle within the offices
  • Plans to conduct staff awareness training on the Reduce /Re-use /Recycle habits, use of cardboard bins and recycled bags to collect used papers for recycling
  • Using energy-saving technologies and measures in the new offices building  currently under construction
  • Created  a new activity within ITG, branded ECOsys, to provide renewable energy solutions
  • Introduced  a new eco-slogan for ITG: ITG =  I Think Green


Logistics
  • Introduced the use of hybrid bikes in Lebanon
  • Established a recycling system in its offices
  • Utilizes low-consumption lighting


Manufacturing
  • Designed and put into motion the installation of four 25 kilo-watt biomass boilers at the first building of its headquarters in Ajaltoun, Lebanon.
  • Provides recycled paper material through its factories
  • Established a recycling system in its offices
  • Supplies water solar heaters, wind turbines, minced solid biofuels, and biomass boilers and stoves for domestic and commercial use.
  • Utilizes low-consumption lighting
  • Currently constructing Mitsulift "Green Building" in its headquarters premises.
  • Gathered signatories for the "Mitsulift Green Building Declaration"
  • Developed an energy-saving elevator with the campaign "Elevating Environmental Standards"
  • Established a recycling system in its offices
  • Utilizes low-consumption lighting
  • Complies with the highest international specifications and industry environment conservation standards.
  • Tinol’s R&D department continuously works on making its paints more environmentally friendly, without compromising quality, and already offers a large range of environment friendly (low/zero VOC) paints.
  • Constantly works on recycling and waste reduction on all of its premises.
  • Was presented with an award by the Ministry of Environment for pioneering the use of biodegradable plastic bags (d2w).
  • Follows an Environmental Policy that views ecological sustainability as a corporate commitment.
  • Worked in close partnership with the Lebanese Red Cross Youth Department in breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest hand painted canvas (Tinol supplied recycled and environment friendly water-based paint), and in the subsequent transformation of the record-breaking canvas into 5,000 eco-friendly shopping bags.


Media
  • Established a recycling system in its offices
  • Recycles used light bulbs
  • Sustainability training for employees


Real Estate
  • Investment in a luxury resort project with three guiding themes: luxury, ‘green’ and water in an aim to preserve the beauty and rich vegetation of the site amidst a deforesting Lebanon.


Retail

  • Uses d2w biodegradable plastic bags in all its outlets.

  • Takes part in restoring the Lebanese woodland and mountain ecosystems through supporting Jouzour Loubnan since 2007.

  • Raises awareness on green issues through various municipalities.

  • Stopped smoking in all of its branches as of November 2011

  • Moved to a new headquarter in Badaro where mostly all the materials used are recyclable .
  • Uses biodegradable plastic bags
  • Launched the eco-festival campaign with the main slogan: “buy a phone, plant a tree” 

  • Uses d2w biodegradable bags in all its offices and for all its products
  • Established a paper recycling system in its offices
  • Utilizes low-consumption lighting

  • Biodegradable PET plastic in their trolleys
  • Recycled paper in promotional flyers
  • Reverse vending machine that recycles plastic bottles
  • Environmentally-friendly fabric re-usable bags sold to customers at cost
  • Installation of energy-saving light bulbs in all branches
      
  • Installed GPS systems in all its vehicles to cut down on unnecessary travels and long routes
  • Established a paper recycling system in its offices
  • Active in planting, maintaining and selling tree and flower products
  • Utilizes low-consumption lighting